Device and method providing traffic forecasts for elevator systems

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device providing traffic forecasts for elevator systems, comprising a data-processing system, wherein the device is designed to establish a data connection between the data-processing system and the elevator system, and wherein the device is designed to establish a data connection between the data-processing system and at least one mobile device, and wherein the device is designed to receive data from the elevator system and/or from at least one mobile device, and wherein the device is designed to send processed data to at least one mobile device. 
     The invention further relates to a method providing traffic forecasts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No.PCT/EP2014/061116, filed on May 28, 2014, the entire contents of whichis herein explicitly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device and a method providing trafficforecasts for elevator systems, especially providing information abouttravel time or waiting time. The invention further relates to anelevator system having implemented said device as well as a computerprogram carrying out the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Regarding office buildings or similar estates, where many people work orlive in one construction of many floors, there is a constantly changingtraffic of people wanting to change the vertical position. Elevatorsystems in such buildings are used by different number of passengers atdifferent times of day.

For example, concerning the above mentioned office building, there willbe a high volume of traffic in the morning, when people arrive for work,followed by a time when the elevator system is frequented by only fewpassengers during the morning. At noon there probably will be a rushhour when people go to lunch and return to their offices, followed againby a calm time during noon and a high traffic in the evening when peopleleave their offices and go home.

Passengers who are independent regarding their time of travel would beadvantageously using the elevator at times of low traffic to reduce aswell waiting time as also travel time. It would be of an advantage forthem to know the best travel-time.

Methods known in the art, that are used to determine the travelling andwaiting time are based on data about the actual allocated destinationsof elevator cars and their actual position. The results of a processingof this data are shown for passengers on some screens most likelyarranged in the lobby.

Disadvantages of the known methods are the small dataset, thenon-optimal presentation of results, the slow updating of results, andthe therefore resulting inability to provide optimal forecasts forfuture travels optimally presented to potential passengers.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to disclose a solution, whicheliminates or at least alleviates the one or more of the drawbacksoccurring in prior-art solutions presented above, and to enable a personto easily determine the travelling situation and the best time for usingthe elevator system.

It is also an aim of the invention to disclose an elevator system whichis optimized in regard to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device, the elevator system, the method and the program carrying outthe method according to the invention and preferred embodiments arecharacterized by the claims, respectively. Some further inventiveembodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in thedrawings of the present application. The inventive content of theapplication can also be defined differently than in the claims presentedbelow. The inventive content may also consist of several separateinventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light ofexpressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view ofadvantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some ofthe attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from thepoint of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of thevarious embodiments of the invention can be applied within the scope ofthe basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments.

The invention refers to a device providing traffic forecasts forelevator systems, comprising a data-processing system, wherein thedevice is designed to establish a data connection between thedata-processing system and the elevator system, and wherein the deviceis designed to establish a data connection between the data-processingsystem and at least one mobile device, and wherein the device isdesigned to receive data from the elevator system and/or from at leastone mobile device, and wherein the device is designed to send processeddata to at least one mobile device.

The elevator system comprises at least one elevator car. However, thebenefit of the invention is recognized best, if the elevator systemcomprises two or more elevator cars that can be moved independently.

Preferred mobile devices are phones, tablets, smart wristwatches, or anyother mobile device which utilizes mobile operating software likeAndroid, IOS or Windows Mobile.

The data-processing system comprises at least one unit that is able toprocess data, e.g. a computer or a microcontroller combined with a datastorage.

The device, especially the data-processing system of the device, isdesigned to send processed data to at least one mobile device and/or toreceive data from at least one mobile device. Since this is preferablyaccomplished in a wireless manner, the device or the data processingsystem preferably comprises means to establish a data connection betweenthe data-processing system and at least one mobile device(“connect-to-mobile-means”), wherein preferred means areBluetooth-means, WLAN-means or mobile communication means or otherradio-means.

The data designed to be received from the mobile devices is especiallythe actual position of the mobile devices or requests for use of theelevator.

The device is preferably designed to receive such data from to at leastone mobile device and to process this data.

The data designed to be sent to the mobile devices is especially arequest for data, the waiting-time for an elevator car arriving at therequested floor, the calculated duration of the journey to the assigneddestination or the general traffic situation as a kind of generaloverall status (e.g. green: “only light traffic”, yellow: “moderatetraffic” and red: “heavy traffic, prepare for some extra travel time”).

The device is preferably designed to send such data to at least onemobile device.

The device itself or the data-processing system of the device isdesigned to send processed data to an elevator system and/or to receivedata from an elevator system. The data connection could be wire-based orwireless. The device or the data processing system preferably comprisesmeans to establish a data connection between the data-processing systemand an elevator system (“connect-to-elevator-means”), wherein preferredmeans are data busses, serial or parallel interfaces (‘wires’; e.g.USB), Bluetooth-means, WLAN-means or mobile communication means or otherradio-means.

The data designed to be received from the elevator system is especiallythe actual car-position, the assigned destinations of each car, therequests for each car, the number of passengers in each car or thepassengers waiting in the floors for one of the cars.

The device is preferably designed to receive such data from the elevatorsystem and to process this data.

The data designed to be sent to the elevator system is especially arequest for elevator-data, the identity of the mobile devices connectedto the device or the receiver of actual traffic information.

The device is preferably designed to send such data to the elevatorsystem.

The device is preferably designed to provide traffic forecasts forelevator systems by applying the following method or preferredembodiments of this method.

The method providing traffic forecasts for elevator systems, especiallyby using the device of the present invention, is based on the steps:

-   -   receiving traffic information (data) from the elevator system        and/or at least one mobile device,    -   at a request for a traffic forecast, approximating the waiting        time and/or the travel time to a selected destination from the        received traffic information, and/or estimating the overall        traffic situation,    -   sending the traffic forecast at least to the user who sent the        request by sending the respective data to at least the mobile        device of the user.

By using this method the device provides useful information like thecurrent traffic situation or estimated travel times between users'location and the elevator system. Therefore this solution enhances thevertical transport of people in the building.

In a preferred embodiment, the traffic data comprises data about theposition of at least one, especially more than two people in thebuilding of the elevator system (“Position data”). Position data couldbe received with means for automatic local approximate positioning inthe mobile devices, preferably GPS data or similar data.

In a preferred case, the elevator system is designed to receivedestination call-data that user give wirelessly with his personal devicelike a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other mobile remote devices.Especially, the call-data defines departure floor and destination floor.This option is designated as “RemoteCall” in the following.

A combination of the present invention with a RemoteCall-option providesthe advantage that both, information and functionality (e.g. elevatorcalling) is possible via the same application.

In a preferred embodiment, where the traffic information at leastcomprises data about the already assigned destinations, and also thealready received calls, the traffic forecast is calculated in that:

-   -   if the sum of assigned destinations plus the already received        calls is smaller than a predefined low-value, the traffic status        is green (low traffic),    -   if the sum of assigned destinations plus the already received        calls exceeds the predefined low-value and is lower than a        predefined high-value, the traffic status is yellow (moderate        traffic),    -   if the sum of assigned destinations plus the already received        calls exceeds the predefined high-value, the traffic status is        red (high traffic),

In another preferred embodiment, where the traffic information at leastcomprises data about the position of the submitter, data about theposition of the elevator cars as well as optionally data about thealready assigned destinations and/or also the already received calls,the traffic forecast is calculated in that:

-   -   the time for at least one of the elevator cars needed to reach        the floor of the submitter, advantageously in the course of the        scheduled travel program of the at least one elevator car, is        calculated and sent to the submitter as estimated waiting time.

In addition, if the mobile device also is able to send calls to theelevator system (RemoteCall), this embodiment could advantageously beextended to also include this call information (at least data about theassigned destination) in the calculation and calculate the estimatedtime of journey. This could be especially achieved a similar way thewaiting time is calculated.

In another preferred embodiment, where the traffic information at leastcomprises data about the traffic of a past time period, especially atleast the past day or even the days of the past month or past year, thetraffic forecast is calculated in that:

-   -   the estimated traffic is calculated from the respective times of        day from this data.

In a preferred embodiment, the traffic information is requested from theelevator system and/or the mobile devices right after a person requestsa traffic forecast. This results in a forecast that is alwaysup-to-date.

All possible combinations of the above methods to calculate a trafficforecast could be of advantage for special applications. The device ispreferably designed to process the traffic information as described inone or more of the methods above.

Parts of this invention are especially also computer programs that arebased on the method of this invention, especially computer programs oncomputer readable media (e.g. storage media, random access memories orinformation hardwired in hardware). These computer programs areespecially “apps” created for mobile devices.

Advantages of the present invention are among others that no separatesystems are needed to provide passengers with the travel forecast. Themobile devices carried by the passengers would be sufficient and theforecast can be received anywhere the passengers are, e.g. in their ownoffice, at the apartment or in a restaurant.

Furthermore, the invention is able to provide constantly updatedinformation and process information very efficiently.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aidof examples of its embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 outlines an elevator system comprising a preferred device.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a possible traffic forecast on a mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 outlines an elevator system comprising a preferred device 7 ofthe present invention. The elevator system forms an elevator group,which comprises two elevator cars 1 and 2, the elevator cars 1 and 2 areable to move in the elevator hoistway between the floors F1, F2 . . .F10. The elevator system is operated by processing device 3 that moveselevator car 1 via motor unit 4 and elevator car 2 via motor unit 5 andcollects and processes data concerning the operation of the elevatorsystem (destination selections, elevator calls, number of passengers percar, etc.). In addition, processing device 3 sends data over a data line6 to the device 7 providing traffic forecasts. Optionally, theprocessing device 3 also receives data over a data line 6 from device 7.

In the figure, two persons are shown wherein persons 10 and 11 each havean individual mobile device 8 and 9 that are connected via wirelessmeans to device 7 via data connections 12 and 13.

In this example, device 7 gathers traffic information comprising dataabout the position of the two elevator cars 1 & 2, the calls on eachfloor, and the calls made with mobile devices 8 and 9. If one of persons10 or 11 starts a forecast request with mobile device 8 or 9, device 7will send the required information on the respective mobile device. Thisinformation may be the waiting time and the time approximated for thejourney (see also FIG. 2).

Assumed that the destination of person 10 is floor F2 and thedestination of person 11 is floor F10, the waiting time may be the same,since both persons are shown on the ground floor.

However, the case could appear that the elevator system automaticallyassigns person 10 to elevator car 1, since it would be advantageous touse this car to reach floor F10 and person 11 could be assigned toelevator car 2. In this case, Persons 10 and 11 would receive differenttimes for waiting.

A possible traffic forecast is outlined in FIG. 2. On the screen of atablet computer—wherein the screen could also belong to a smartphone oranother mobile device—there are two pictograms shown. The rightpictogram in form of a clock showing the time Y the person has to waituntil a called elevator car would arrive at the floor where the mobiledevice is located. Assumed the person already has chosen a destination,the left pictogram showing an elevator car and two arrows will show thetime X a journey to this destination would require.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 & 2 elevator cars-   3 processing device-   4 & 5 motor units-   6 data line-   7 device providing traffic forecasts-   8 & 9 mobile devices-   10 & 11 persons-   12 & 13 wireless data lines

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device providing traffic forecasts for anelevator system, comprising a data-processing system, the device beingconfigured to: establish a data connection between the data-processingsystem and the elevator system; establish a data connection between thedata-processing system and at least one mobile device; receive data fromthe elevator system and/or from the at least one mobile device, whereinthe received data includes traffic information about already assigneddestinations and already received calls; receive a request from a mobiledevice of a user, wherein the request is a traffic forecast request; andsend processed data including at least the traffic forecast to themobile device of the user based on the request, wherein the trafficforecast is calculated such that: if a sum of the assigned destinationsplus the already received calls is smaller than a predefined low-value,a traffic status is green (low traffic), if the sum of the assigneddestinations plus the already received calls exceeds the predefinedlow-value and is lower than a predefined high-value, the traffic statusis yellow moderate traffic), and if the sum of assigned destinationsplus the already received calls exceeds the predefined high-value, thetraffic status is red (high traffic).
 2. The device as claimed in claim1, wherein the at least one mobile device is selected from a group ofphones, tablets, smart wristwatches and mobile devices which utilizemobile operating software.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe device is designed to send processed data to the at least one mobiledevice and/or to receive data from the at least one mobile device in awireless manner, wherein the device or the data processing systemestablishes a data connection between the data-processing system and theat least one mobile device via Bluetooth, WLAN, mobile or radiocommunication.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deviceis designed to send processed data to the elevator system and/or toreceive data from the elevator system via a wired or wirelessconnection.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevatorsystem is designed to receive destination call-data via wirelessconnection with a mobile device of a user, and wherein the call-datadefines a departure floor and a destination floor and is designated as aRemoteCall-option.
 6. A method providing traffic forecasts for anelevator system, comprising the steps of: receiving traffic information(data) from an elevator system of a building and/or at least one mobiledevice; receiving a traffic forecast request from a mobile device of auser; approximating a waiting time and/or travel time to a selecteddestination from the received traffic information, and/or estimating anoverall traffic situation; and sending the traffic forecast at least tothe user who sent the request by sending the respective data to at leastthe mobile device of the user, wherein the traffic information comprisesdata about already assigned destinations and already received calls, andwherein the traffic forecast is calculated such that: if a sum of theassigned destinations plus the already received calls is smaller than apredefined low-value, a traffic status is green (low traffic), if thesum of the assigned destinations plus the already received calls exceedsthe predefined low-value and is lower than a predefined high-value, thetraffic status is yellow (moderate traffic); and if the sum of assigneddestinations plus the already received calls exceeds the predefinedhigh-value, the traffic status is red (high traffic).
 7. The method asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the traffic information comprises positiondata of at least the user in the building of the elevator system,wherein the position data is received via an automatic local approximatepositioning of the mobile device of the user.
 8. The method as claimedin claim 6, wherein the traffic information comprises data about aposition of the user requesting the traffic forecast, data about aposition of a plurality of elevator cars, and data about the alreadyassigned destinations and/or the already received calls, wherein thetraffic forecast is calculated such that: a time for at least one of theelevator cars needed to reach a floor of the user, in the course of ascheduled travel program of the plurality of elevator cars, iscalculated and sent to the user as an estimated waiting time.
 9. Themethod as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mobile device is furtherconfigured to send call information to remote devices (RemoteCall) ofthe elevator system designed to allow a RemoteCall-option, wherein thetraffic information at least comprises the call information, and whereinthe method further comprises calculating an estimated time of a journey.10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the traffic informationcomprises data about traffic of a past time period, wherein the trafficforecast is calculated such that: the traffic forecast is calculatedfrom the respective times of day from this data.
 11. The method asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the traffic information is requested fromthe elevator system and/or the mobile device immediately after a userrequests a traffic forecast.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 6,wherein the method is performed with a device providing trafficforecasts for elevator systems, comprising a data-processing system,wherein the device is designed to establish a data connection betweenthe data-processing system and the elevator system, wherein the deviceis designed to establish a data connection between the data-processingsystem and at least one mobile device, wherein the device is designed toreceive data from the elevator system and/or from the at least onemobile device, and wherein the device is designed to send processed datato the at least one mobile device.
 13. An elevator system, comprisingthe device as claimed in claim
 1. 14. A non-transitory computer readablemedium comprising computer executable program code configured toinstruct at least one computer to perform the method of claim
 6. 15. Thedevice as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device is designed to sendprocessed data to the at least one mobile device and/or to receive datafrom the at least one mobile device in a wireless manner, wherein thedevice or the data processing system establishes a data connectionbetween the data-processing system and the at least one mobile devicevia Bluetooth, WLAN, mobile or radio communication.
 16. The device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the device is designed to send processeddata to the elevator system and/or to receive data from the elevatorsystem via a wired or wireless connection.
 17. The device as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the device is designed to send processed data to theelevator system and/or to receive data from the elevator system via awired or wireless connection.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 2,wherein the elevator system is designed to receive destination call-datavia wireless connection with the mobile device of a user, and whereinthe call-data defines a departure floor and a destination floor and isdesignated as a RemoteCall-option.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 3,wherein the elevator system is designed to receive destination call-datavia wireless connection with a mobile device of a user, and wherein thecall-data defines a departure floor and a destination floor and isdesignated as a RemoteCall-option.